Self-sealing stuffing box



Jan. 9, 1945. G, ZIMMERMANN 2,366,824

SELF-SEALING STUFFING 130x 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28, 1943 1945-. E. G. ZIMMERMANN SELF-SEALING I STUFFING BOX a 4,0,, Z 5 Z% 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 28, 1943 zg /Z .34 39 E 6i Z'mmermann 'zgfl q Patented Jan. 9, 1945 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE, 1 a V I 2,366,824 n I i l SELF-SEALING STUFFING 30x Erich Zimmermann, Seattle, Wash. Application April 28, 1943, Serial No. 484,928 2 Claims. (Cl. 286,26)

This invention relatesto a stuffing box particularly applicable to pumpsto keep the fluid from escaping around the pump rod. i

It is especially aimed to provide a construction employing novel packing whichis maintained in engagement with the pump rod to seal the same against escape of fluid along it, by the action of fluid being pumped. i it Another object is to provide a structure wherein novel packing is suitably clamped in place in the sufiing box with means providing passages for the fluid being pumped to coact with the packing. p v i In addition, I aim to provide a structure wherein a strong-back secures the operating parts in place andalso clamps one free edge of the novel packing. v l c i i Further, an aim is to provide a construction wherein the parts of the stuiflng box will avoid wear on the pump rod. 6 i Also, I aim to provide a construction wherein the small amount of liquid whichmay pass a stuffing box efiectively will be remove'd The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from auconsideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment. i

. In said drawings: i l

Figure 1 is a view in approximately central longitudinal section through a pump employing my novel self-sealing stuflingbcx, parts being broken Figure 2 is a cross section taken on the line 2--2 ofFigure 1; v

Figure 31s a side elevation of the packing cage; a

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the ring which clamps the packing to the cage;

Figure 5 is a plan view of said ring;

Figure 6 is aside elevation of a tubular packing element;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section particularly showing the clamping of the lower edge of the novel tubular packing between the cage and the clamping ring:

Figure 8 is a plan view of a modified form of Figure 9 is a view taken approximately on the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line l6l6 of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view primarily in central longitudinal section through a final modified form.

6 Referring specifically to the drawings, my improvements are used especially in'connection with pumps to keep the fluid which is being pumped, that is, water, oil, or :the like, from escaping along the pump rod. Such a pump generally i shown at [0 in the first form-of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7. Of this conventional pump, a cylinder is shown at H having a piston 12 reciprocable therein to pumpythe fluid and from whichpiston'or plunger 12 the rod l3extendsthrough astufling box housing orsleeve l4 formed integral withthejcylinder H.

Housing I4 is interiorly enlarged to provide a chamber at 15 which is in communication with the pumping space of thecylinder, H along the shaft or pump rod l3 and through a passage I6 which may be as large relatively to the piston rod as desired. p i r t i The chamber [5 accommodates a generally cylindrical cage ll which surrounds the P p rod [3 and which has a seating ring H3 at one Carried by the cage ii is atllblilgl packing element 26 which may be of leather or of any other suitable flexible material. sleeve 26 is outwardly flanged at the top at 2| so that it rests on the ring l8. A plate or strongback 22, through which the pump rod [3 extends, is clamped to the flange I9 by means of screws or bolts 23, for instance passing loosely through openings therein and being screw threadedin openingsjin theflange I Qa By reason of this plate 22 the cage I1 is secured in place and the flange 2| also is clamped in place and sealed at the upper or outer end.

At the lower end cage I1 is enlarged to provide a ring 24 having an interior conical seat 25 against which the lower outwardly extending or conical edge portion 26 of the packing sleeve 20 is disposed and in which position it is clamped by a ring 32' having a flange 28 which extends into the sleeve 26 and has a conical or inclined surface 29 in direct clamping engagement with the flange 26 of the packing sleeve. Ring 2! is secured in place under the desiredpressure through the medium of screws 36 passing loosely therethrough and engaging screw-threaded openings 3| in spaced-apart lugs 32 extending outwardly from the base of the cage and between Such packing to exert its pressure directly against the packing to contact it and seal it against the plunger rod l3. As a result, during pumping operations a portion of the fluid being pumped will pass along the pump rod l3 through the bore or passage I'6 into chamber l5, thence through openings 34 and into direct contact with the packing sleeve 20, and under the requisite pressure contacting the latter with the reciprocating pump rod l3 in-order-to seal the joint and prevent the escape of the fluid from the pump along the pump rod.

Various changes may be resorted to provided that they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, I may use the form in Figures 8 to 10. In this form the pum fragmentarily shown is aconventional structure and may be identical with that employed at In, the parts [3, l4, l5, [6, I9, and 23 being identical in construction and operation with the same parts of thepreviou'sly described form. "The cage in this form generally is designated -34, consisting of a plate min contact with or seated on the flange t9 and :having a cylindrical wall I 3 6 extending integrally therefrom into the chamber l5, and terminatin'g in -an inwardly extending flange =31 havin'g a'tapered seat at 38 which is engaged by the tapered extremity 390f a leather or other flexible fluid-impervious .sleeve of packing material like that at 20. The extremity-39h clamped tightl-y-to the seatby a'ring-w detachably connected to the flange 31 by screwsor bolts at 41. Clamping ring- 40 has-anextension 42 provided with a tapered.

seat'in direct engagement with the extremity =39. I 'At the -upper end thepacking sleeve 39 has an outwardlyiextending flange 44- seated -on the upper surface of the plate '35. In turn, seated on top of the flange 44 and plate 35 is a strongback orplatei45. V Plates 35-and 45'may besecured-together by screws or bolts: it and inturn-theymay be secured tolthe flange l 9--by-the bolts 23.

The :present form of the invention provides a chamberor space at =4T-which is 1 filled with the fluid being pumped and in communication with 1 the discharge or pressure end-of the pump through a conduit 48 detachably'coupled 'to the platen 35. in. line with passage 49 therein I communicating "with the: space 47-. The 1 pressure of the fluids-in chambermfl causes intimate contact ofuthepacking-tll with; the -rod l3-to seal the same.

rod l3 and; pass the packing 39twhich will accumulate in :an .annularz'spacel 50 of plate 45 around the rod I3. suchaspace -59.1 through apassage "5| in the; plate, is inicommunication with a conduit 'strongback or plate 22' which is the equivalent of that used at 22. In'communication with space or chamber 53 are passages 54 in the plate 22,

an opening or, port 55 through the packing 20 and a passage 56 through the plate l8, leading 'to the spacel5; Passage 54 normally is closed by. a ball valve 51 urged to closed position by an expansive coil spring 58. With this structure the small amount of fluid accumulating in the annular space 53 will 'be returned 'to the 1 chamber l5 when the piston descends-on a suction str'oke due to the suction'mreated as the valve 5'! will open. Such valve closes on the up or pressure stroke. I r

' I claim :as my invention: r

i l. A stufling box comprisin'g packingadapted to surround-a pump :ro'd ,.:.a cage havingia mounting head overlapped by oneend, of the packing,

. said :icage having a1,perforateducylinder surrounding the'packing, a ring to'clamp thelother end..of the packing to one end of the cylinder the lastmentionedendofrthegcylinder an d clamping ring having vinclined "surfaces engaging the adjacent end of the'. packing, and 'spaced-apartilugson-the cylinder to which said ring is secured.

'2. A stufiing box 'of the: classtdescribed having 1 tubular packing adapted to surround a pump rod, a cage mounting said packing and? providing a chamber about the :same :and provided with a plate, means to connect the' chamber with the discharge end :01 a pump through said plate wherebyit'will be filled' with fluid under pressure to maintain the' packing. in engagement with a pumpf-rodawhichiitlsurroundsg a second iplate, LOIIe end def the packing being :disposed between the plates, means securing the plates together to clamp said end of the packing .bet'ween themgthe second-mentioned :plate. having a space for accumulation of fluid *therein which passes the packing, and :means for the discharge of said fluid from the space.

ERICH G. 

